Today, June 1st, is International Sheltie Day! These charming, smart pooches really offer everything one could ask for in a dog, and make wonderful pets and companions. That’s definitely worth celebrating! In this article, a Plano, TX vet puts Fido in the doggy spotlight.
Basics
Shelties are quite small, and are typically only between 13 and 16 inches tall. They can easily be mistaken for miniature Collies, as they look very similar. However, while Fido’s family tree does include the Rough Collie, he’s also related to the adorable King Charles Spaniel. The Sheltie was officially recognized as a breed by the AKC in 1911. As of 2022, they were listed as 27th most popular out of 287 breeds.
Smart Pups
One of the Sheltie’s most outstanding traits is their intelligence. These dogs are very, very smart. In fact, Fido scored sixth place out of 138 breeds in one study! The researchers also found that Shelties could learn new commands in as little as five repetitions, and obey commands on the first try about 95 percent of the time.
Versatile
Fido has both beauty and brains. Shelties have very pretty, fluffy coats. There are both good and bad sides to that. On the one hand, your pooch won’t need to be bathed very often. However, he will shed heavily, especially in spring and fall. You’ll need to brush your canine pal regularly. (We’d also suggest getting a great vacuum cleaner and stocking up on lint rollers.)
Exercise
Shelties are active, playful, and lots of fun. They can do well in apartments, as long as they are getting enough walks. It’s worth pointing out that these guys do have a tendency to chase, well, everything. Proper training is a must!
Doggy Sports
Fido excels in a variety of doggy sports, including obedience, tracking, herding, and agility. He’s also pretty good at learning cute tricks!
Health
Shelties are susceptible to a few specific conditions and diseases. These include eye problems, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, and Von Willebrand disease, which is a bleeding disorder. Bladder issues are also not infrequent: Shelties are four times more likely to develop bladder cancer than other pups. They are also prone to developing dermatomyositis, which is often mistakenly diagnosed as mange. Ask your vet for more information.
Do you have questions about caring for a Sheltie? Contact us, your local Plano, TX pet clinic, today!
